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David Mikho |
My wife, Leyla, and I are immigrants from Dohuk, Kurdistan, which is in the northern region of Iraq. My life’s story is similar to many Iraqis that have experienced the Saddam Hussein regime and the fact that I am alive to give this testimony is a miracle. Now I can look back and clearly see how God has directed me and my family to this wonderful movement, UPF.
I have seen battles as a medic in the wake of Saddam’s wars and have been sentenced to prison for life at the whim of this dictator. There is one main reason that I and others were allowed to dodge our life sentences. The prisons were too full. At that time, there was standing room only. It was so bad for us that when it was time to sleep, we had to lie on the floor in such a way that we were head to foot, like a puzzle. There was not an inch to spare. Being released from prison, however, did not mean freedom. Those of us who were let out, were under heavy surveillance. Because everyone in prison knew my character and philosophy, I was a threat to this dictatorship regime. I was required to report every 15 days and quite often, they would make surprise visits. My children were treated like part of a family of traitors in their schools. I have witnessed many of my fellow Iraqis from different cultures and religions brutalized in ways that there are no words to accurately describe.
Leaving my country was of course difficult. I had to leave all of my relatives and belongings behind. It would have been one of the most difficult things to do had it not been for a firm voice in my head giving me comfort. “Everything will turn out OK.” The rest of the story of how my family and I managed to make it to America is a testimony of God directing our lives.
After one month in Dohuk, Kurdistan we were prepared to leave Iraq to Istanbul, Turkey-the first leg of our journey. I had heard that most of the Iraqis were fleeing to Istanbul because the UN High Commissioners for Refugees (UNHCR) was in the area, serving as the gateway to another country. My brother, who was living in England at the time, began to prepare the paperwork for our family to settle there. For the next two years in Istanbul, there was no news of escaping our refugee status. It was a hopeless feeling trying to provide for such a young family. Every week I would report to the offices of Caritas, a relief agency operating out of the Vatican, to hear if there was any word. Then one day, when I was at my appointed meeting with the representative, a woman agent from France, I was asked, “Why are you trying to move to England, why don’t you move to the United States? I replied that it never occurred to me to go to the U.S. I told her that it would be a dream for me, an impossibility. She said to come back Tuesday and she will see if something can be done. I went back home to my wife, Leyla, still not believing this fantasy. None of it made any sense. A woman from France, working with an agency from the Vatican, was encouraging me to go to America where I have no sponsor…..what a fantasy.
When Tuesday came, it was raining very hard. I thought that this would be a very difficult day. The weather was terrible. I had to walk miles to the Caritas office knowing that there were thousands of people that are more qualified to be chosen to go to America than our family. They have relatives or someone else there to sponsor them. We had no one. I was reluctant to even go, with no hope in my heart, but Leyla pushed me to go. She put a heavy raincoat on me, handed me an umbrella and pushed me out the door. When I got to the building, my agent said to me with the brightest smile, “Congratulations!, You are going to the United States!” I couldn’t believe it. I began to thank her knowing that it would never be enough. On my way home, I had the most wonderful feeling, even though the weather was still the most miserable.
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| Mr. Mikho and Mrs. Amedee discussing the Five Universal Principles of Peace |
I decided to put on a unhappy face when I walked in the house and told my wife, “See, you sent me for no reason.” It didn’t work. She said, “Who do you think you are fooling? Your face and every part of your body is smiling.” After a few months of routine paperwork, we were on our way. When I think back to this journey, there is no evidence that I had any control in deciding to go to America. I am here for reasons beyond my own.
All of these things I mention only to say that, I believe that the Five Universal Principles, and the philosophy of UPF is the guidance necessary to bring lasting peace to my country, the Middle East region, and ultimately the world. I believe this completely.
After becoming an Ambassador for Peace (AFP) in Michigan, and attending the International Leadership Conference in Hawaii, it became clear to me that the dreams that I had as a young man have been preparing me for this time of my life. The reality of my everyday life as a young man became the worst hell imaginable, so I began to dream that one day all good people, whatever their religion, would live together in peace. UPF has erased any doubt in my mind that this can now be achieved.
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| Mr. Mohamed Mohsin receiving the AFP certificate from Mr. Mikho and Mr. Jajo |
Determined to go back home to Dohuk, Kurdistan, and nominate friends and community leaders that are already true Ambassadors for Peace, I arrived on September 11th, 2007. The first person I nominated was my friend, Mr. Patros Jajo, a commissioner with the government of Duhok-Kurdistan and a member of the Christian High Council. Mr. Jajo is a humble man, well loved throughout the region as a hero because of the many lives and families he saved. When I shared the Five Principles with Patros, he was so moved, and said that this is the movement that we need. He was very emotional and very inspired. Even with his busy schedule, he immediately began to make plans to introduce me to leaders of the local community- beginning with Mr. Mohamed Mohsin, regional director for the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
He accompanied me practically every day, helping me with transportation while I was in Iraq. At first I thought maybe I would be faced with some rejection but, I was not actually surprised to find that the vast majority of the people in Kurdistan are prepared for this peace movement. When I took the time to explain the Five Principles, everyone I spoke to began to understand that this is not another religion or a political point of view but has a genuine purpose to bring people together. I was able to speak with hundreds of people, from three different religions over the 80 days I was in Iraq, and as this new idea spread, the radio and TV media coverage was there.
After two weeks in Dohuk, Patros began to call his loyal friends and contacts in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Arbil. One person in particular was a great inspiration to me…a woman leader in the KRG, Mrs. Shirin Fatah Amedee. Mrs. Amedee is a well known leader in our country and recognized for her active role in the advancement of the rights of women. I was inspired to find that someone with her level of status with the KRG and her popularity in our country, would have such a humble heart and compassion for others. Mrs. Amedee traveled four hours to meet me in Dohuk for our first meeting! She listened more intently than anyone else, as I shared with her Dr. Moon’s philosophy of the Five Principles of Peace. Her response was heartfelt and sincere when she said “These five principles are already in me. We have been waiting for them.” Mrs. Amedee was able to introduce me to key Cabinet Ministers the following week.
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| Mr. Adnan Mufti presenting the AFP certificate to Mrs. Shirin Amedee |
The first member of parliament I met was the President of the KRG Parliament, Mr. Adnan Mufti. Mr. Mufti was intrigued as we shared this philosophy of peace but, was especially interested in the Character Education program. He asked to keep the booklet “Discovering the Real Me” but it was the only copy I had. I explained to him, the best way I could, that lasting world peace takes generations of character education. He recommended that I make an appointment to meet the Minister of Education, Mr. Dilshad Mohammad. As I further explained to him about the AFP movement, I pointed out that Mrs. Amedee was just nominated as an AFP by Mr. Jajo. Mr. Mufti was generous to insist on officially presenting the AFP certificate to her in his office.
The last two weeks of my stay in Arbil allowed me to meet numerous Members of the Parliament and other government officials. In closing, it was very encouraging to me that during the 80 days visiting my country of Kurdistan-Iraq, all the people I had an opportunity to meet and share Dr. Moon’s philosophy with, from almost every religion and political party; all received the principles gratefully and graciously. We will continue the development of UPF in Iraq with increasing fervor.
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Mr. Taha Barwary
Minister of Youth & Sports |
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Gen. Kamal Al-Mufti
Advisor to Jalal Talabani, President of Iraq |
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Mr. Audisho Gorges
Chaldean Assyrian Congress |
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Mrs. Susan Y. Khoshaba
Chaldean Assyrian Congress
Sports & Youth Committee |
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Mr. Dilshad Mohammad
Minister of Education |
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Mr. Adnan Mufti, Mr. Mikho and Mrs. Amedee discussing
Character Education |
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